Firefighting a respectable profession, says governor

LAHORE
The speakers at a seminar organised to commemorate International Firefighters Day focused on the drafting of National Fire Safety Codes and implementation of existing laws to protect precious lives and properties.
The day was commemorated at Governor House Monday and tribute was paid to the firefighters who had died in the line of duty. The ceremony was presided over by Acting Governor Punjab Rana Mohammad Iqbal.
Rana Iqbal said firefighting is a respectable profession across the world and he salutes all those rescuers, who lost their lives in the line of duty while saving the lives and properties of masses. He said that in developed countries, the main focus of the Fire & Rescue Services was fire prevention; therefore, the departments concerned would have to come forward for establishment of safer communities in Pakistan, as it was not only the work of only fire rescuers. He said the way Dr Rizwan Naseer and his team were working hard and delivering emergency services was praise-worthy.
Director General Rescue 1122 and Emergency Services Academy Dr Rizwan Naseer paid tribute to firefighters, who sacrificed their lives, saying firefighter is the real hero of society and firefighting is a noble profession. He said Rescue 1122 was working with the communities for emergency prevention and disaster risk reduction.
In view of the increasing number of fire emergencies, there is a dire need to evolve an effective fire prevention strategy involving the establishment of modern Emergency Services in all provinces, drafting of National Fire Safety Codes, enactment of an effective Fire Prevention and Community Safety legislation, capacity building of professionals regarding fire safety codes, safety laws and effective enforcement of fire safety codes to establish safer communities in Pakistan.
Secretary Fire Safety Commission Rafay Alam said that urban development was a very serious issue and we must make proper planning before construction of buildings. He said the chapter regarding fire safety should be included in our educational courses. Kamran Lashari said Pakistan has three institutions - Pakistan Army, Motorways Police and Rescue 1122 - which are performing up to the mark. He said government had rightly chosen Dr Rizwan Naseer, who is enthusiastically working for safer communities. ‘Today, every child knows that in case of emergency, he has to call on Rescue 1122 and this is really success of this department,’ he said, adding we need to improve Walled City Area for fire safety. However, he said he along with Dr Rizwan Naseer and others were working for improvement of fire safety measures in Walled City Areas. He stressed on the media to create awareness in society.
Minister for Housing, Punjab Tanvir Malik congratulated Rescue 1122 as he received positive feedback from all districts of Punjab whether he asked from any public representative or a common man. He said the Punjab government should be appreciated for expanding this lifesaving service in all districts of the province.
Chairman NDMA Maj-General Asghar Nawaz said that today as we commemorate the International Firefighters’ Day, we also acknowledge the dedication, heroism and importance of firefighters of our country. ‘Firefighter is like a brave soldier, as he jumps into the burning building knowing the fact that fire can claim his life,’ he added. Gen Asghar said Rescue 1122 had given new dimension to fire fighting with its passion and professional training. This day reminds us of the horrible effects of fire incidents and highlights heroic actions of valiant firefighters in saving precious lives.
Later, Acting Governor awarded the best rescuers, including Lead Fire Rescuer of Khanewal Sajjad Hussain, Fire Rescuer of Hafizabad Wajid Ali and Fire Rescuer of Khanewal Usman Nawaz.
Transfers: Inspector General Police Punjab Muhstaq Ahmad Sukhera issued orders of transfer and postings of three police officers on Monday. SP Headquarters Punjab Constabulary (06), Farooq Abad, Muhammad Sharif was posted as Chief Traffic Officer Multan on a vacant post. Waiting for promotion, ASP Dr. Anwash Masood Chaudhry was posted as SDPO Kotli Sattian Rawalpindi. DSP Muhammad Afsar was posted as PHP Punjab Lahore on a vacant post.